Tag Archives: Dig

Four years ago, a little game called Steamworld Dig was released upon the world. Developed by Image & Form Games, it focused on a robot named Rusty who explores the world below to find treasure, challenge and a sense of mystery. The game’s favorable reception would soon give way to two sequels although it led to the game being ported many times for players to get a chance to experience it. Four years later, the game would finally have a sequel in the form of Steamworld Dig 2. With a new protagonist and a new story to tell, does this game carry the same charm and feel as the original?

The story of Steamworld Dig 2 takes place some time after the first game. Rusty, the protagonist of the last game has gone missing. You play the role as Dorothy McCrank (aka Dot) who moves to the town of El Machino to find him. Along the way, she gets help from a mysterious creature who has his reasons for joining in. Together, the two will discover something sinister that may affect their home and the entire planet. The story in the game has me curious and they mostly happen in many instances as you explore through the area. By the time the game ends, you can’t help but feel bad for Dot and everyone. I won’t spoil it but yes, this game really made me have the feels for it.

Like the first Steamworld Dig, this game is a Metroidvania-style game where exploration is the main focus. All you do in the game is head underground and with your trusty pickaxe dig your way down. How Dot goes depend on you and that’s the whole gist of it. The game does have an objective based format but you are free to explore at your leisure. As you do so you collect treasure that can be exchanged for money, the money in turn can be used to purchase upgrades for Dot’s gear and stats. But there are also collectibles that can be exchanged to get special upgrades. Her skills are also tied to cogs that you find as you explore. Cogs are used to make modifications that can help Dot in various situations. They can also be swapped to other perks, offering a lot of options. There’s also a level up system but it’s used for obtaining bonus pay when you trade jewels for cash. Of course if you end up going down, you suffer a small penalty. It isn’t much and you can recover the stuff you collect but good luck trying to find it if you are way down on your journey.

All of this provide the game a lot to do and it’ll be needed to progress. Like Metroid, the game will take you quite a while to achieve 100% completion. But if you simply want to beat the game it can take you roughly 6-8 hours. There is some replay value since you have to collect everything to achieve 100% while maxing out Dot. It’s a lot of work. The game isn’t hard either but it can be if you choose to do so. There are boss battles and many require strategy to beat them. Thankfully they aren’t at the point where it can get real intense. It also has one of the best fast-travel systems ever meaning at certain points, you can find a shaft you can use to move from one area to the next quickly. Or if you want you can use it to head back up above to restock. Then once you’re set, you use the fast travel to return where you left off. Simple.

Steamworld Dig 2 is a sight to behold. Each environment stands out while adding something to set itself apart. Whether on the PS4, Switch, PS Vita or PC, the game is amazing. It’s easy to pick up and play. The controls are simple yet easy and as you play and unlock new gadgets and upgrades, it gets better. The characters look good and even the enemies stand out. Image & Form Games deserve all the praise they can get for delivering on a sequel that surpasses the original and in some ways tie things to another game in the Steamworld series.

If I were to find any problems with Steamworld Dig 2, I feel that at times trying to get all the upgrades can be a grind. Yeah, you can be able to max yourself out if you put the effort but good luck with it especially since trying to find everything underground and in some areas a challenge onto itself. I could be wrong. Also, a lack of a New Game + limits replayability a bit but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying this.

Steamworld Dig 2 is an impressive sequel to the first game and one you should definitely get a chance to play. It has everything you ever want in a game like this: exploring, combat, platforming and puzzles, you name it. The addition of RPG elements add a bit more to an impressive game and the fact that it’s $20 says a lot. For $20 you get all this. This is amazing. If you want a little something to pass the time, this is it. Steamworld Dig 2 is one dig you don’t want to miss out on. I guarantee it.